Fire Suppressant Mixture Boiling Point Depression for Cold Vaporization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft fire suppression systems face challenges in cold temperatures due to the high boiling points of existing fire suppressants like FK-5-1-12 and CF3I, which hinder their ability to freely vaporize and effectively disperse in cold environments, and there is a need for environmentally friendly alternatives to Halon 1301.
Innovation Solution
A fire suppressant mixture is created by blending FK-5-1-12 or CF3I with carbon dioxide, which lowers the boiling point of the mixture, and is pressurized with an inert gas like nitrogen, argon, or helium, to enhance vaporization and dispersion characteristics while maintaining environmental sustainability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If existing fire suppressants like FK-5-1-12 and CF3I are used, then fire suppression capability is maintained, but vaporization and dispersion are hindered at cold temperatures due to high boiling points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines FK-5-1-12 or CF3I with carbon dioxide to form a blended mixture. This merging of substances creates a new composition that leverages the low boiling point of CO2 to improve vaporization at cold temperatures while retaining the fire suppression properties of the primary agent.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the fire suppressant by blending it with carbon dioxide. This changes the boiling point characteristic of the mixture, enabling it to vaporize more effectively at lower temperatures encountered during aircraft operations.
2Reliability
If Halon 1301 is used, then fire suppression performance is optimized, but environmental harm increases due to ozone depletion potential
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the harmful Halon 1301 with a blend of FK-5-1-12 or CF3I and carbon dioxide. This substitution eliminates the ozone depletion problem while maintaining fire suppression effectiveness, converting an environmentally harmful solution into a beneficial one.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses carbon dioxide, an environmentally benign substance, as a component of the fire suppressant blend. CO2 naturally decomposes and returns to the atmosphere without causing ozone depletion, making it a sustainable replacement for persistent halogenated compounds.
3Power
If fire suppressant is stored in pressurized bottle with nitrogen, then discharge energy at low temperatures is provided, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fire suppressant agent with carbon dioxide in a single blended mixture stored in one bottle. This merging eliminates the need for separate pressurizing gas systems and multiple components, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining discharge energy through the inherent properties of the blended composition.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The blended mixture exhibits improved free vaporization and dispersion at cold temperatures, effectively suppressing fires with reduced ozone depletion potential and global warming potential, making it a suitable alternative for aircraft fire suppression systems.
Implementation Method 1
blending FK-5-1-12 or CF3I with carbon dioxide, which lowers the boiling point of the mixture
Implementation Method 2
pressurized with an inert gas like nitrogen, argon, or helium, to enhance vaporization and dispersion characteristics
Data Source
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AI summary
A fire suppressant mixture comprising: an organic or supplemental organic fire suppressant compound; a halogen element, and an organic compound, wherein the organic fire suppressant compound, the halogen element and the organic compound are combined such that a boiling point of the mixture is lower than the boiling point of the organic fire suppressant. In some embodiments, the organic fire suppressant compound is FK 5-1-12 and the organic compound is carbon dioxide. In other embodiments, the mixture is supplemented with an additional organic compound such as CF3I or 2,2-Dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane (R123), or an halogen element. In some embodiments an inorganic pressurizing gas, such as nitrogen, is also added.